Snap switch



June 16, 1931. JQHANSQN 1,810,314

SNAP SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 1929 INVENT OR A TTORNEY Patented June 1 6, 193 1 UNITED; STATES PATENT; OFFICE] GUSTAV H. JOHAHSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO CHRISTIAN WILHJELM, OE'PEILADELIE'HIA PENNSYLVANIA, AS. TRUSTEE SNAP swrrcia:

Application filed January 19, 192a. Serial No. 333,721.

This invention relates to improvements in snap switches of the typein which a movable contact member is caused to make and break contacts with two fixed contact members and to snap quickly from one member to the other member.

The object of the invention is to provide a generally improved snap switch embodying certain refinements and "novel features of construction whereby to obtain a superior type of snap switch of highly efficient construction and operation.

With these objects in view the invention is embodied in a snap switch arranged and [constructed as hereinafter set forth and as minals 6, '7 and 8 which are identical in size and shape, so the description of one of them will sufiice. Each terminal consists of a piece of metal bent at right angles to j form a base 9 and an upright contact mem ber 10. Each base is provided withprongs" 11 bent towards the box bottom and seat ed in small recesses 12 therein whereby each terminal may be accurately positioned, and is prevented from rotating when the usual terminal bolts or screws 13 are tightened as is obvious. It will further be understood that wires are secured to the terminal bolts on the back of the box and not shown.

The terminals 6 and 8 are placed in aninclinedposition with respect to the longi-- tudinal axis of the switch. I

r A movable contact member is arranged to be operated between the two terminals 6 and 8 :to make and break the circuit between each of these terminals and the terminal 7 The movable contact memberconsists of a contact piece 14 which is secured to a nonconducting block 15 by means of two screws 16,16. The contact piece has a stem 17 and is bent angularly as at 18 to fit the block. The horizontal portion 19 of the contact piece is split as at 20toform two resil ent aws or bearings 21 21 each of which. I

is adapted to grip and hold a contact pin '22. The screws 16 pass through the two arms of the jaws and when the screws are screwed down tight, the jaws grip the contact pins 22 firmly.

The stem 17 passes through a hole in the terminal 7 A spring 23v surrounds the stem between the terminal 7 and'the movable contact piece 14. The latter carries a pin 24 in the block 15 and the spring'keeps the pin 24 in contact with an operating lever. 25 which is pivoted at 26 on the box. The lever 25 has inclined cam surfaces 27 against which the pin 24 slides It will be seen from thedrawing that as the operating lever 25 is oscillated on its pivot,the cam surfaces 27 force the pin 24 and the contact member towards the terminal 7 until the point 28 on the lever 25 moves past the pin 24 when the contact member Wlll move from engagement with the terminal 6 and snapover into engagement with the terminal 8 and vice versa.

It will be noted that due to the inclined position of the terminals 6 and 8, the contact pins 22 will slide easily along the con". tacts 10 thereof in. engagement therewith until the point 28 passes the pin 24 and the movable contact member snaps over into its other extreme position. There is therefore an easy wiping action of the pins 22 against; their respective contacts. 10 of the terminals 6 and 8. It has also been found that this 7 construction assists in preventing sparking and decreasing, wear.

WVhen the contact pins 22 become worn or s also provides for necessary or desirable adjustment of parts.

I claim: In a snap switch of the character de- 5 scribed, three fixed terminals, each of said terminals forming a base and an integral upright contact member, a movable switch membersupported on one of said terminals and adapated to engage either of the two other terminals, said movable switch member comprising a contact piece bent to form two jaws, contact pins in said jaws, a nonconducting block, screws for securing said bent contact piece to the said block and for adjustably clamping the contact pins in the said jaws, a stem in said bent contact piece passing through a hole in the upright portion of the said one contact member in slidable and swingable relation thereto, a spring 20 surrounding said stem between the bent contact piece and the said one terminal, a pin in said block and a lever adapted to engage said pin for operating the said movable contact member. GUSTAV H. JOHANSON. 

